Blackpool - Representation of Age, Family and Relationships

At the very start of the clip, the camera pans slowly from the floor upwards to reveal a couple sitting on a sofa. This movement of the camera from a low point, in combination with the fact that the shot is a medium shot and that the camera's moving slowly gives off the impression that the couple are quite average, normal or even boring. I think this is because it indicates that there is nothing in particular about them that stands out, or that we should focus on and also, the speed of the camera shows that there is nothing spontaneous or exciting about them. The non-diagetic music that is being played over this scene supports this belief, as it has a slow tempo, and the notes are dragged out. So far, in my opinion, they embody the stereotype of a middle aged husband and wife. As far as their relationship goes, it seems they are equals, due to the fact that they are both given the same type of close-up shot and that they talk to each other in similar tones of voice. However, the fact that they are sitting up straight, and slightly apart shows that they are either on edge about something, or are concerned with coming across 'properly' (well put together, and not too affectionate) to whoever is visiting.

Next, we see their daughter come into the house, and introduce her new boyfriend 'Steve' to them. During this scene, I think that the sound and mise en scene really affect the representations of the relationship between the characters. When Steve entered the room, I immediately notice a stark difference between him and the parents - whilst they are wearing warm, bright colours such as orange, pink and brown, Steve is clothed completely in black and dark blue. This shows the audience that he is the 'odd one out' in situation, and is an outsider in their household; it may also show the sense of reservation that the couple feel towards this man, which is also reflected in their shocked expressions. In contrast to this, the daughter is wearing a light grey top and black trousers, showing us that she has a connection to both her parents and Steve. The quiet, non-diagetic sound creates an 'awkward silence' type atmosphere, as does the flat tone of voice that the couple use, however Steve's tone of voice shows that he is confident and wants to impress.

During the conversation scene, more about the structure of this family is revealed. This is mostly due to the contrast between the tone of voice of the 'mum' and 'dad' characters, the woman's voice is much more gentle and open, whereas the man sounds skeptical and slightly irritated. This could hint at the fact that the mum is the one who gives her daughter more freedom, and wants to be accepting of her new boyfriend, or at least give him a chance. The dad, on the other hand is clearly hesitant to get to know Steve. This is a common representation of family life, the father who is very protective of his daughter and the mother who understands more what it is like to be a young girl.

As far as representations of age go, there is quite a diverse range, the camera seems to move more slowly around the two middle aged parents than it does around the daughter. This could show that they are more old fashioned, and are set in their ways. There is a larger range of camera angles and shot types when it comes to the daughter, and the editing is faster, making her seem more spontaneous and unpredictable - it seems that the usual representation of young girls is that they live fast and their parents don't really understand their choices in life. However, the diversity is increased with the fact that we have another older character, Steve